Pulaski County

ELOISE E. TROUT ALLEN, 89, of North Little Rock passed away Wednesday, June 14, 2017. She was born Oct. 15, 1927 in North Little Rock, Ark., to William and Leona McKenzie Trout. She was a member of Levy Church of Christ.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Dianne Cox (Sam), and Michael D. Allen (Cindy); grandchildren, Katie Elaine Nicodemus (Wayne) and Sara Meagan Allen; and great-grandchildren, Christopher and Trenton Nicodemus. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.D. Allen; granddaughter, Christina Dianne Cox Whitley; and her brother, Bill Trout.

Memorials may be made to the Christina Cox Whitley Memorial Scholarship, University of Central Missouri, P.O. Box 800, Warrensburg, MO. 64093.

A visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2017 followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m., at Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St. Burial will follow in Edgewood Memorial Park.

Online obituary at www. SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– MOTHER ROSIE CARTER-VAUGHN, 96 of Little Rock passed June 14, 2017. Loving memories left to children: Danny J. Carter Sr. (Jeanette), Edward Carter (Callie), and Brenda J. Brown (David Sr.). Homegoing celebration June

24, 2017 11 a.m. at Pleasant Hill CME Church 3801 E. 38th Street Little Rock. Superior Funeral Services 5017 E. Broadway North Little Rock (501) 945-9922. Online guestbook www.superiorfuneralservices.com. Trudean Long Brown “Providing Services Your Family Deserves.”

–––––❖––––– SUZANE (SUZY) CHILDS-JOHNSON, 65 of Little Rock, Ark., went on Friday, June 9, 2017 to join her mother Raydell Engles, sister Barbara (Barbie) Childs, and dearly depart loved ones Kenny Johnson, Billy Mosely, Perry Little, and Jed.

Suzy prided herself on being a fisher-woman. She was an honest, charitable, caring, and sympathetic person who often shared whatever she could to help people in need. Fiery at times she seemingly grew a foot if riled, but mostly she was a friend, advisor, and loving mother to her son Lane Johnson. We shall never see her like again.

In addition to her son, Suzy is survived by her sister and best friend, Sharon Patrick; sister Donna McAfee; brothers David and Skip Childs; nieces Jenny-Kay Chontos, Daron and Missy McAfee, Shelbi Walters, Holly Lamm, and Terri-Lynn Harbour; nephew Beau Ford; and great nephews and nieces she treasured. Special love and thanks to Tina Zdarko, Alvin Jackson, and Shelbi Walters.

A gathering and memorial service to celebrate Suzy’s life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2017 at A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Ark. Interment will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Pine Crest Cemetery located at 7401 AR-5, Alexander, Ark. 72002.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main St., Jacksonville, Ark. 72076. (501) 982-3400.

Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuenralservice.com.

–––––❖––––– JAMES CHRISTOPHER CLOWNEY, 78, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life June 12,

2017. He was preceded in death by: father, Cato Clowney Sr.; mother, Luvenia Clowney; sister, Cassie Billingsley; sister, Jessie Mae Boyd.

James leaves to cherish his memory: children, James Clowney Jr. and Anthony Johnson; siblings, John (Gloria) Clowney, Cato (Shirley) Clowney Jr., Laverne Taylor, and Beatrice Tabourn; a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends. Memorial Service: Wednesday, June 21, at 11 a.m. at RMLR Chapel. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark., (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– PEGGY SMITH HARDIN COLLIER, age 94, died June 15, 2017. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hugh and Irene Dixon Smith; husbands, Dr. Joe H. Hardin and M. Lamar Collier; and is survived by her three children,

Jody Jackson (Vernon), Margaret Bearden (Mike) and Robert Hardin (Alison), and by former daughterin-law, Carolee Capp. She also is survived by six grandchildren, Katherine Jackson Lefler, Julie Jackson Greenwood, Elizabeth Hawkins Inabinett, Joan Hawkins, Elizabeth Holland Hardin, and Christopher Hardin, as well as ten great-grandchildren, two cousins, and five nieces and nephews.

A native of Hammond, La., she attended Sophie Newcomb College and was a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University. She and Dr. Hardin moved to Little Rock in 1949 where he joined a practice of internal medicine and gastroenterology. She was an active volunteer with the March of Dimes during the polio epidemic and later was a member of the Women’s Emergency Committee during the closure of Little Rock schools. She also spent many years as a substitute teacher with the Little Rock School District.

In her active years, she enjoyed playing bridge and golf. She spent many weekends fishing on her houseboat at Mountain Harbor on Lake Ouachita.

While living at Presbyterian Village, she became close friends with the Reverend Donald Campbell, to whom the family owes much gratitude for his faithful attention and care. Also, the family sends a special thanks to caregivers, Melody Pye and Kurtis Felps.

The family will gather at a later date for a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi, Little Rock, Ark. 72207, St. Francis House, 2701 S. Elm, Little Rock, Ark. 72204, or Presbyterian Village, 500 Brookside Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205.

Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, (501) 224-2200. Peggy’s online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.

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JUNE YVETTE CRUTCHFIELD of North Little Rock, Transitioned to rest on Thursday, June 15. She was born and raised in Hot Springs, Ark. Graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1979 and lived in Little Rock the past 25 years. She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Farris Crutchfield, her father Ronald Crutchfield and her paternal and maternal grandparents. She is survived by her mother and stepfather, Irene and James Brown; sister, Ronda Crutchfield; brother, Michael Crutchfield; niece, Rafanee Herman; nephew, Gavin Herman, and great nephew, Honor Herman. A private memorial service will be held by the family. Arrangements by Watson-Northcrest 1801 Maple.

–––––❖––––– CLAUDIA E. GRIFFIN, 80 of North Little Rock, Ark., went to be with the Lord on June 14, 2017. Claudia is survived by her son, Jerry Griffin and a host of other family and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband Henry. Visitation will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 22 at A Natural State Funeral Service with services to follow at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North little Rock, Ark., at 1 p.m.

Online guestbook, www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

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JEAN ROXANNE GROSS, 70, of Little Rock, returned to the One who created her, on June 10, 2017. She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Gross and grandson, Patrick Henry Russell, both of Houston, Texas; and her brother, Randy Eoff, and his wife Carolyn, also of Houston Texas; as well as her beloved cat, Meesul. She also leaves behind many extended family and friends, including Hal Murray, Jim Sharp, and Lisa Williams, all of Harrison, Ark.

She was preceded in death by her son, Gregory Scott Gross; a sister, Tina Kay Eoff; her loving Uncle Herman and Aunt Bess Murray; a grandmother, Mary Florence Eoff; her biological parents, Loy Cecil Eoff and Linda Fern Langford Eoff; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins including Floyd and Ada Murray, Garland and Edith Gibson, Lowell Murray, and Martha Murray Williams.

Born Loy Jean Eoff of Harrison, Ark., on Aug. 23, 1946, the nickname Roxanne was derived from a beautiful, sleek, reddish mare, that had a long flowing mane, whom she named Roxy. The horse was a gift bought by her Aunt Bess and Uncle Herman (Murray). She loved to run, play with a mind of her own, and was subject to do anything. Roxanne approached life with zest and laughter. Simply and beautifully, she was a mother, a grandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend and a warrior. As we celebrate and honor her, we keep in mind the words of Dr. Seuss: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.

A celebration of life will be held in North Little Rock at the ClubHouse at 123 7th St. on Sunday, June 18 from 1:15-3:15 p.m. All are welcome. She will be interred on June 24, 2017 at Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, Ark., next to her beloved son, Scotty.

In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to the Arkansas State Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at https://afsp.org/chapter/ af sp-arkansas/ or The Arkansas Regional Organ Recovery Agency at http://www.arora.org/ or via phone (501) 907-9150.

Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service in Jacksonville, Ark. Her online guest book is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com.

–––––❖––––– DENIOUS HOUSTON, 70, of Little Rock, Ark., departed this life June 12, 2017. He was preceded in death by: father, John Wilson Houston II; mother, Mayola Lane Houston; son, Lawrence Ray Higgins; grandson, DaMario D. Higgins; siblings, Larry Houston, Leeandrew Houston, John Wilson Houston III, Wee Houston; and cousin Eldridege ‘Lay Heavy’ Lane.

Denious leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Shirley E. Houston; children: Denious R. Houston, Frankie Ellington, Ken and James Austin, Desiree Gardner, Tamiko (Michael) Iansiti, Yoshiko Collins, LaKimberly (Charles) Lewis, Danielle (Anthony) Stanford; siblings, Sarah M. Houston, Beverly J. Houston, Mae Jean Houston, Garron L. Houston, Willie Hank, Carnell Jackson; uncles and aunts, William Lane, Jessie B. Lane, Clara Lane Nickleson; 25 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Visitation: Friday June 24, 2017 noon-6 p.m.; Funeral: Monday June 26, 2017 11 a.m. both at Robinson Mortuary, Little Rock. Pastors Browning and Pastor Tappin officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark., (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– DEACON EDWARD LEWIS, 75, of Little Rock, went home to be with the Lord June 8, 2017. He was preceded in death by his daughters, Rachel Lewis and

Ranald Lewis; brother, Hewitt B. Lewis; sister, Laverne Lewis.

Deacon Lewis leaves to cherish his memories with wife, Carolyn Lewis; children, Carmen Lewis, Randall Lewis and Laverne Lewis; siblings, Vivian Ward and Joe Lewis; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Visitation: Tuesday, noon-6 p.m. at Robinson Mortuary, Little Rock. Service: Wednesday, 11 a.m. at Antioch F.G.B.C., 3824 Antioch Blvd., Little Rock. Bishop Kenneth Robinson Sr., officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark, (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– PRISCILLA “PRISSY” WARNER MESSENGER, 52, of Little Rock passed away unexpectedly Thursday, June 15, 2017. Survivors: husband, Robert Messenger; children: Robert Messenger, Ryan Knight, and Resa Messenger; and three grandchildren. Service: 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 20, 2017, Roller-Drummond Funeral Home, (501) 455-5800. Visitation will follow at Brenda’s home. Online guestbook: www. rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.

–––––❖––––– BOOKER THOMAS MINOR, 81, of Maumelle, passed Tuesday. He was born Dec. 11, 1935 to the late Doss and Julie Minor of Louann, Ark. Flowers can be sent to Watson-Northcrest 1801 Maple St. 812-5303. Service to be Announced.

–––––❖––––– MELISA ANN MITCHELL, 35, of North Little Rock, died June 11, 2017. Visitation will be June 22, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Arkansas Cremation, 6400 Mabelvale Pike, Little Rock, Ark. Memorial services are 11 a.m., June 23, 2017 at Eighth Street Missionary Baptist Church in North Little Rock. Services entrusted to Arkansas Cremations. www.arkansascremation.com.

–––––❖––––– ROBERT PERISEREALERTS, 62, of Little Rock passed 8:55 a.m. Wednesday the

14th. Funeral services will be Saturday June

24 at 1 p.m., Visitation noon. Both at Greater New Freedom Baptist Church 3900 W. 12th St. Little Rock. Gillespie & Kelly

Funeral Home (2420 Arch (501)

376-7892/612-5607) will be serving the Periserealerts families. Sign online register, send flowers/condolences, light “In Loving Memory Of”candle. www.gillespiekellyservices.com.

–––––❖––––– GEORGE EARNEST REED, 65, of Little Rock departed this life June 12, 2017. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Reed; sister, Verna Mae; brothers, Jerry Lewis and Tommy.

George leaves to cherish his memories wife,

Amie Wright Reed; children, LaShaundra, Dominique, Jeremiah; mother, Ruthie Reed; siblings, Dorothy, Shirley (Louis Henry), Diane, Lou Dean, Phyllis, Vernetta (Michael), Bobby (Ann); a host of relatives and friends.

Family Hour: Friday, June 23, 5-6 p.m. at Robinson Mortuary, Little Rock. Service: Saturday, June 24, 11 a.m., at Holy Temple Cathedral COGIC, 1322 S. Pulaski, Little Rock, Ark. Bishop Jewel Withers Jr., officiating. Services entrusted to Robinson Mortuary, 1201 Dr. MLK Jr. Drive, Little Rock, Ark., (501) 371-0111. “Service You Can Trust.”

–––––❖––––– SARAH FRANCES GREER SHELTON of North Little Rock, Ark., was born Dec. 27, 1923 and died at home on June 16, 2017, at the age of 93. She was the daughter of William Robert and Lois Beth Simmons Greer. She attended NLR public schools, played the flute, and was a majorette for the NLR Wildcats. She was a Realtor for many years and founded Accent Realty. She was a lifelong member of Levy United Methodist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Otis G. Shelton, her son Larry Shelton, her daughter Sandra Govar, her sister Bobbie Schroeder, and her companion Stan Jacob. She is survived by her son Robert Shelton, brother Bill Greer, grandchildren Melissa Shelton, Chris Shelton, Josh Govar, Sarah Beth Govar, Adam Shelton, Amanda Shelton Horn, Luke Shelton, and Hannah Shelton Fraser, 17 great-grandchildren, and her best friend Gertie Alexander. She will be dearly missed. Visitation will be on Tuesday June 20 from 6-8 p.m., and funeral on Wednesday June 21 at 10 a.m., at SmithNLR Funeral Home. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Hunter’s Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery, Casscoe, Ark. Online guest book www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– LUCIAN HUGHES SHOCKEY SR. of Jacksonville, Ark, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Little Rock, Ark. He was born April 4, 1944, in Bastrop, La., to the late Lucian Shockey and Florence Hughes Shockey. Lucian was a faithful member, former Sunday School Teacher and former Finance Committee member at Park Hill Baptist Church in North Little Rock.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lois Shockey, and his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Wanda Langley Shockey, and son, Lucian Hughes (Hugh) Shockey Jr. of St. Louis, Mo., sister: Bonnie Opal (Neal) Willett; brother: William Carl Shockey, sisters-in-law: Judy (John) Ford and Cindy Kinnaird Shockey, nephew: Andrew

Shockey, Nieces: Kay (Ray) Alleman, Beth (Tommy) Pitts, Kathy (Luther) Wallace, Katie Willett, Jessica Shockey, and Danielle (Paul David) Morrill. Also surviving are numerous great-nephews, great-nieces.

Lucian graduated from Mer Rouge High School in 1962 and Northeast Louisiana State College (now University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM) in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in Animal Industry. He graduated with honors and was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. He was selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges/Universities. In 1964 he organized and became president of the first Collegiate Farm Bureau Chapter in the United States. After college Lucian was a partner in Shockey Farms and Cattle, Co. in Mer Rouge, La., until 1976. Lucian was President of the Morehouse Cattlemen’s Association, Vice President of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association in 1969 and was a Lifetime Member of the Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association. He became Louisiana Sales Manager for Moorman Feed Company in 1976 and in 1978 Sales Manager for Mountaire Feeds in North Little Rock.

In 1982 Lucian graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR) with a BS degree in Accounting and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Arkansas in 1981 passing the CPA exam before earning his Accounting Degree. He was licensed in Louisiana in 1982. During his career as a CPA he served various positions at Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) from 1979 to 1986. He became Head of the DHS Audit Section covering all programs operated by DHS from 1986 to 1997. In 1997 he became Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance at UALR and from 2000 to 2008 he served as Vice Chancellor of Finance and Administration. Lucian became Arkansas Deputy Secretary of Agriculture in 2008 and retained that position until his retirement in 2010.

During his career he was president of the Arkansas Governmental Accountants Association. He was an Arkansas Government Finance Manager and later a Certified Government Financial Manager in 1995. He mentored a number of persons interested in becoming CPAs. As an active member of the Arkansas Society of CPAs, he taught courses in governmental and audit accounting and at the national level, he taught courses for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants until he retired in 2012.

Lucian was a loving husband who always courted and supported his wife. He was a wonderful father, sharing many activities with Hugh from scouts to restoration of a 1948 Jeep. He enjoyed the outdoors while squirrel hunting with his rat terrier dogs, and started the Arkansas Squirrel Hunters Association in the early 1990’s. He enjoyed fishing and hunting at Lakeside Country Club and cherished the relationships with members established over the past 30 years.

Special thanks is extended to neighbors Jerry and Judy Tomlin, Jim and Marcia Dornblaser, and Jeff Twitty for assistance during Lucian’s illness. Jim Dockins and the Dockins Sunday School Class at Park Hill Baptist Church are greatly appreciated for the on-going prayer support provided over the past 14 years for Lucian’s many cancer treatments.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 18, 2017, from 3-5 p.m. at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, NLR, Ark. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m. on June 19, 2017, also at the funeral home with Dr. Carey Heard officiating. An additional visitation will be at the Cox Funeral Home, 611 N. Washington in Bastrop, La., on June 20, 2017, from 2-3 p.m. and a committal service and internment to follow in the Mer Rouge Cemetery, Hwy 165, between Bastrop and Mer Rouge, Louisiana. View and sign online guest books at either the Smith-North Little Rock website (www. northlittlerockfuneralhome.com) or Cox Funeral Home website (www.coxfuneral.com).

Friends and relatives who wish to make a memorial gift, please feel free to do so in flowers; or make donations in Lucian’s name to Alzheimer’s ARKANSAS, mailing address, 201 Markham Center Dr. LR 72205; or to the UAMS Rockefeller Cancer Institute, 4301 W. Markham Street, #716, Little Rock, Ark. 72205.

–––––❖––––– JOYCE SLAYDEN (CHIASSON) passed on June 15, 2017. She was born to Felix and Josephine Chiasson, February 25, 1937. A celebration of life will be at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home, Monday, June 19, 2017, at 2 p.m., visitation one hour prior. To sign online guestbook, visit www.dialanddudleyfuneralhome.com.

–––––❖––––– MARVIN E. THOMAS, 64, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died June 14, 2017. Born

August 10, 1952 in Vanceburg, Kentucky, he was the son of Jess and Elsie Stamm Thomas. He was a retired manager of product engineering for Siemens Electric Motors. Marv was an innovative inventor and expert handyman. He enjoyed spending time with his family, his many nieces and nephews, and cats, Gus and Lil Bit. Marv loved telling stories, often filling them with obscure trivia facts. He was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan as well as cheering on his home state, Kentucky Wildcats.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Edna Lohre (Paul) and Bea Dummitt (Mike). He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Becky Thomas; siblings Betty Rossi of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bill Thomas (Glenda) of Tollesboro, Kentucky, and Jack Thomas (Carole) of Vanceburg, Kentucky; brother in-law and sister in-law Ralph and Mona Koehler of Little Rock, Arkansas; brother in-law and sister in-law Mike and Nancy Batie of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and many special nieces and nephews.

Memorial service will be at 10 a.m., Monday, June 19, 2017 in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 West 12th Street, Little Rock, Ark. Memorials may be made to Pulaski County Humane Society. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

–––––❖––––– WILLIAM HENRY WHITMER JR., 91, of Sherwood, Arkansas, passed away June 13, 2017. He was born October 8, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, to William and May Whitmer. He served in the Navy in WWII in the South Pacific. Survived by sons Bill (Anne) Whitmer; George (Patti) Whitmer; nine grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by wife, Lola Whitmer; grandson, Corey Whitmer; parents; brothers, Worth and Wayne Whitmer. Guest register at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.

–––––❖––––– MELBA D. YATES of Little Rock passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2017. She was born to Edwin and Maggie DuVall on a snowy January day in 1924, after her mother walked to the nearby (old) St. Vincent Hospital. Melba grew up in Little

Rock, graduated from Little Rock High School (now Central) and then attended Draughon School of Business. After school she worked for the Veteran’s Administration until she started her family.

In 1948 she married Stanley W. Yates and they were blessed to have 64 years together. They enjoyed traveling with friends, family ski trips, and spending time at their place on Lake Catherine. She was a member of Second Presbyterian Church and the Forty Listeners Book Club (now defunct). Melba also enjoyed playing bridge and gardening.

Melba is survived by her son, Stan Yates and his special friend, Lola Selph, her daughter, Lea Ann Reeves and husband, Jim of Ft. Meyers, Florida; grandsons, Drew Reeves and Fiancée Megan Brickner of Jacksonville, Florida, and Brian Reeves of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant daughter, Sarah Louise, and her husband, Bill.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 19, 2017 at Second Presbyterian Church with Rev. Steve Hancock officiating. The family wishes to thank her special caregiver and friend, Cherrie Fox and her daughter, LaTonya Bowie along with her caring physicians, Paul Zelnick, Doug Borg, and Kevin

Heifner. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 600 Pleasant Valley Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas 72227 or a favorite charity. Arrangements by Ruebel Funeral Home. www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.